Grief counselors and therapists in Tennessee

Welcome. If you have been feeling overwhelmed by depression, anxiety, mood swings, or trouble focusing, you are not alone. Maybe your teen is struggling, or you are exhausted from trying to manage symptoms on your own. When your mood, energy, or attention feel out of control, daily life can feel harder than it should. I offer a supportive, judgment free space where your concerns are taken seriously.

I have been in private practice since 2015. I work mostly with adults around anxiety, depression, life changes and trauma. I provide a welcoming safe space for you to process your emotions and work on yourself.

If you're feeling stuck — wrestling with anxiety that won't quiet down, a mood that swings without warning, anger that surfaces faster than you'd like, or the weight of past trauma — you don't have to sort through it alone. I work with adults who are juggling demanding lives while quietly carrying ADHD, depression, grief, chronic pain, or relationship strain that's hard to put into words.

I came to this work after 20 years as a broadcast operations engineer. When an injury changed my path, I earned my Master of Science in Social Work at the University of Tennessee, Knoxville, and I've been a licensed clinical social worker (LCSW) since 2019. I've practiced in integrated medical clinics with clients of every age, in intensive outpatient care, and in residential settings, and today I work primarily with adults over telehealth across Tennessee.

I see my role as helping you understand where your struggles come from, get clear on what you want therapy to change, and build a concrete, step-by-step plan to get there

I love working with people and helping them "grow" through the things of life that they "go" through. A quote that I love to share with clients and live by personally is to remember not to focus on your purpose but to live your life purposely. As a military social worker my background is specific to first responders, but most importantly individuals that are learning their new "normal" after traumatic life events that have unexpectedly shaped them.

You may feel overwhelmed by anxiety, stress, past experiences, or relationship conflict that still affect how you show up in daily life and relationships. Many people reach out for therapy when trauma, depression, grief, or substance use begins to feel too heavy to manage alone. You may feel stuck in patterns of anger, conflict, or emotional pain and want a safe place to talk honestly about what’s going on. Therapy can be a space to slow down, make sense of what you’re carrying, and begin finding healthier ways to cope and move forward. I believe therapy works best when clients feel safe, understood, and respected.

I bring over 13 years of experience since graduating from Boston University, and throughout my career I’ve had the opportunity to work with both children and adults. Today, my focus is primarily on supporting adults navigating life’s stressors and transitions, including anxiety, depression, and trauma. As a bilingual and bicultural therapist, I understand how culture and language shape our identities and the way we experience the world. Together, we’ll work to identify what truly helps you feel better and move forward in a way that feels authentic to you.

I believe that meaningful change happens in the context of safe, authentic relationships. Whether you're navigating anxiety, depression, trauma, grief, life transitions, or relationship challenges, my goal is to create a space where you feel genuinely heard, understood, and challenged in ways that promote lasting growth.

I earned my Master's degree in Marriage and Family Therapy and work with adults, couples, and families. While relationships are a primary area of focus, I also work with individuals facing attachment wounds, overwhelming stress, emotional disconnection, and patterns that leave them feeling stuck. My approach is warm, collaborative, and practical. Rather than simply helping you manage symptoms, I want to help you understand what is driving them so meaningful change becomes possible.

As a Licensed Professional Counselor, I'm committed to providing a safe and nonjudgmental environment for exploring pathways to psychological and emotional healing. Specializing in Dialectical and Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, I believe everyone is worthy of love and happiness. I encourage people to see themselves through that same lens.

Sometimes your mind understands what’s happened, but your body still holds the impact. I’m trained in EMDR and Brainspotting, approaches that help gently process those deeper layers. My work integrates mindfulness and somatic awareness to support nervous system regulation, so change doesn’t just feel intellectual, it feels real, grounded, and lasting.

I have a broad variety of therapeutic experience to include crisis intervention and trauma informed care. I received my master's degree in professional counseling from Liberty University in Lynchburg, VA and have been practicing in the field for over 10yrs.

Dr. Deborah DeFrieze

Dr. in Education

Master's degree in social work

Social Work and Licensed Massage Therapist for 15 years

Missionary in Africa for 18 months

Public Education for 33 years

Regular and Special Education Teacher

Assistant Principal

Principal

Assistant Professor

I am a board-certified Psychiatric-Mental Health Nurse Practitioner who provides compassionate, trauma-informed mental health care to adolescents and adults. Value building a trusting therapeutic relationship and meeting clients where they are. I use both medication and supportive therapy to help clients manage anxiety, depression, mood disorders, stress, and life transitions. Believing that healing happens when people feel heard, understood, and empowered to take steps toward change at their own pace.

Great to meet you. Reaching out for support can feel overwhelming, especially when you're carrying emotional pain, relationship challenges, or life circumstances that have left you feeling stuck or disconnected. I work with adults and adolescents experiencing anxiety, depression, stress, relationship issues, family conflict, trauma, grief and loss, identity concerns, and major life transitions. I understand that every person's story is different, and I believe healing begins by creating a space where you feel heard, understood, and supported. Whether you're struggling with overwhelming emotions, navigating changes within your family, coping with loss, or trying to better understand yourself, therapy can provide an opportunity to gain insight, build healthier coping skills, and reconnect with what matters most to you. My goal is to help you move toward greater balance, emotional wellness, and a more fulfilling life.

Are you tired of carrying things that are just too heavy for you to carry alone anymore? As a licensed professional counselor, I can help you carry that load. In my 12 years as a counselor, I've worked with families, children, adolescents, and adults of all ages in homes, outpatient offices, and online. I have a Ph.D. in counselor education and supervision, and have taught in graduate counseling programs, but my first love is working directly with individuals who are dealing with the effects of trauma, grief, burnout, or anxiety. I am a Christian and would be happy to incorporate your spiritual beliefs, whether Christian or not, into our work together, if desired.